Set of knockdown furniture



Dec. 28, 1948.' LE. STINBERGER w 2,457,411 I SET OF KNOCKDOWNv FURNITURE Filedoct. 21, 194e I l l l g( j INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 28, 1948 UNITED STATES y,PATENT l OFFICE SET F KNOCKDGWN FURNITURE Laurel Eugene Steinberger, `San Fernando, Calif.

Application October 21, 1946, Serial No. 704,554

Claims. 1

This invention relates to knockdown furniture and has for its primary object to provide a knockdown set of table and benches adapted to be arranged as a rectangular case of relatively small dimensions whereby the relatively lbulky and space occupying table and benches are compactly rearranged for easy and convenient transportation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a set of tables and benches adapted for use at outings and picnics, the elements of which are knockdown for rearrangement into a compact easily carried case having a suitable carrying handle.

My invention also has for its objects to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture, relatively simple, and of general superiority and serviceability.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description. However, the drawings merely show and the following description merely describes one embodiment of the present invention, which is given by way of illustration or example only.

In the drawings, like reference characters designate similar parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a case formed by the elements of a knockdown table and benches according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional View thereof as taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the table and benches as erected for use at outings, picnics, etc.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view as seen in the direction of the arrow 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a similar view as seen in the direction of the arrow 5 of Fig. 3.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the articles of furniture comprise a table I0 and two similar benches II. The table Ill is composed of similar but opposite table tops I2 and I3, a table leaf I4 arranged therebetween, a pair of leaf supports I5 spanning between the table tops I2 and I3, and four similar table legs I6 connected to said table tops. Each bench I I is composed of a bench top IT and four bench legs I8. As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the table tops I2 and I3 form similar opposed portions of a carrying case I9 which sandwich between them the table leaf I4 to divide the case into similar compartments and 2|. Said compartments serve to house the bench tops I'I, one

in each compartment, the table and hence legs I6 and I8, and the leaf supports I5.

Each table top I2 and I3 is formed as a generally elongated rectangular structure of suitable materials such as wood and plywood. Each top comprises a top panel 22, side panels 23 which form the top and bottom walls of the case I 9, and end walls 24. The panels 22 and 23 and the end walls 24 are assembled and joined to form the l mentioned hollows or compartments 20 and 2| of the table tops I2 and I3. The end walls 24 are relatively thick and each:

is provided with a substantially square seat 25y extending angularly through from top to bottom of said wall. The angular disposition of each seat is such that a leg I 6 telescoped thereinto will have a downward and outward direction when the table is erected as in Fig. 3. A rectangular horizontal seat 26 extends into each wall 24 and through the ends of one of the panels 23 to receive the ends of the leaf supports I5 as best seen in Fig. 4. An aligning pin 2'I vextends outwardly from the bottom of each end wall 24 y`of one table top, say the top I3, to hold the table leaf I4 in position when the elements are arranged as in Fig. l. One of the side panels 23 of one of the table tops is formed with a pair 'of spaced centrally located notches 28 to accommodate a carrying handle 29 for the case I9, said handle beingr mounted on the table leaf I4.

Thetable leaf I4 comprises a rectangular top 30 having length and width dimensions similar to those of the table tops I2 and I3. Said leaf is stiifened by a suitable number of longitudinal cleats 3|. One outer lface of said `cleats is provided with a pair of notches 32 generally aligned with the mentioned notches 28 for loosely holding the handle 29. The latter is formed of metal or the like with sides 33 extending through notches 32 and adapted to similarly extend through notches 28, with an integral connecting bail 34 at the outer ends of the sides 33, and' with outwardly bent feet 35 at the other ends of said sides. The handle is thereby loosely connected to the table leaf, serves as the carrying means for the case I9, and is of the disappearing type as indicated. Suitable holes 35 at each end of the top 30 receive the mentioned aligning pins 2'I as hereinbefore described.

As seen in Fig. 3, the table tops I2 and I3 and the table leaf I4 are arranged to provide a continuous uninterrupted table surface with the leaf between the tops I2 and I3. The leaf supports I5 are provided to connect the parts and supportl the leaf I4.` A support I5 is provided for each 3 end of the leaf and spans between the table tops as shown. Each support I5 comprises a rectangular preferably wooden bar 31 of suitable length to enter and fit into opposed and aligned seats 26 of the table tops, and a bar 38 secured centrally to each bar 31 to serve as a spacer for the table tops and whose length, therefore, is the same as the width of the table leaf I4. A pin or dowel 39 extends upwardly from lea-ch support I5 to enter the holes 3B in the `leaf and thereby hold the latter against inadvertent endwise displacement. f

The knockdown table ltherebetween to form a case in which said table ID is completed by serting the legs I6 into the seats 215 providedl Y therefor. To insure'rm, non-wobbly assembly of said legs, their upper ends are preferably slitted as a't @il and their sectional -dimensions made somewhat larger than that of the vseatsll. v c

' members, said table top members bemg each f The legs I6 can then ,be rmly yet removably forced into said seats with resulting rigidity of the -completed table. i The bench tops I'I are similar. Eachcomprises a top panel Il l side panels 42and end walls 4'3 to form a structure similar to the table tops I2 and I3. Each end wall 43 of eachfbench top is provided with a pair` of substantially square seats 'Ml which k,are angularly opposed andextend angularly outwardfrom the top to the bottom of said end wall, Said seats III receive the vends of 'the bench legs I8 which are slitted vin kka manner similar to the .table legs for firm t `as described. One side panel 42 of one of the bench" tops is formed with notches '45 to .clear the handle 29.

It should be clear without furtherdescription howy the above-described elements are .assembled to provide a table Ill and a pair of rbenches II-as illustrated in Fig. 3. The table Iand. benches are; knocked down by withdrawing the .legs :I6 and .I8 from their respective seats, v`removing the table leaf I4 from its supports I5, and dis-associating, the latter from the table tops I2 and I3. By

laying the table top I2 with its compartmentz-D face'upward; nesting one bench top Il, which has thenotches 45, into said compartment and registering said notches with Ithe notches 28 in said top I2; placing the four table legs I6, the Yeight bench legs I8 and the two leaf supports I5 in infieY hollow .of said bench top; `positioning the .table leaf I4'on the pins or dowels 2l with the vcleatslY directed toward the compartment 2i! so-thatthe handle rsides 33 pass through said registered notches 45 and 2B; and then lapplying ythe open side of the table top I3, with the other benchtop I1. nested therein, against the exposed face ofthe table leaf, the elements of the described furniture are compactly arranged to form the `case I9.

The outer members ofthe case I2 and AI Z- are separably joined by suitable latches 46 Iarranged as mating pairson the end walls 24 of said outer members. By grasping the handle 29, the otherwise bulky furniture can be easily and conven-, iently carried as contemplated. To insure nondisplaceable connection between the members I2 and I3, the pins 2l are made sufficiently ,long to fit yinto seats 41 in the end walls vof the-member I2.

and-scope of my invention. I, therefore, do not wish to krestrict myself to the particular form of construction illustrated and described,b.ut desire toavail .myself of all .modifications that may fallwitliin the scope of the appended claims.

VvWhilel have illustrated and described whatitop members comprise the outer portions of the Ycase) A set of .knockdown furniture comprising a pa'ir of similar table top members, a pair of simillaribenchitop members, a table leaf member, and at least` supports for the table top and bench top formed with a hollow compartment for nesting onerofthe bench top `mem-bers and for storing saidsupports, and means 'separably connecting the table top Y.n'l'c-:nflbers with the table leaf member 'therebetween to form a case in which said ta e 'top members comprise the -outer portions ofitnecase, said table leaf member being provic'le'dwith a handle accessible through onepair of aligned walls ofthe table top members to form v carrying'means for ythe set of A'furniture when formedv as a case.

, BfA set kof 'knocldown furniture 'comprising a pair of Lsimilar table top members., a pai-r of similar ben-ch vtop members, fa table leaf `member,

supports for said leaf, and lsupport-legs lfor the table top andbench top members, said table top members being each formed with a hollow com partment for nesting one of the bench top members and for vstoring said leaf supports 'andlsupe port legs, and means separably connecting .the tabletop members with the table leaf member therebetween to'form a ca-se in which said table top, `members comprise the outer portions of the case.

A, A set of vknockdown furniture comprising a pair of similar table topmembers, a 'pair of similar bench top members, a table 'leaf member, supports for said leaf, and support legs for the table top and bench top members, said table top A.membersbeing each formed with a hollow compartment for nesting one of the bench top members and for storing said leaf supports and support leg-s, and means separably connecting the table top members with the table leaf member therebetween to form a .case in which said table top members lcomprise the outer portions of 'the case, 'said table leaf member being provided with ahandle accessible through one pair` of aligned wall-s ofthe table ytop members to .form carryingmeans for vthe set of furniture when formed as a case. l

5..A set of knockdown furniture con'lprising a table and a pai;- of similar benches, Asaid table comprisinga pair of top members each vformed with ahollew compartmenua table leaf `between themembers, ,means connecting said .members and 'supporting said table leaf, and separable supportlegs for said members,l each bench com prising a `top adapted to be nested -in the hollow vof each table top memberand separable 'support legsffor thewbench topsalso adapted to Jbe stored ,in one of .said hollow compartments, and means separablyconnecting the table top membersv with ythey table leaf. therebetween tol form acess in-W-h'ieh -Saidta'ble Vteli member-s @emprise the outer portions of the case.

6. A set of knockdown furniture comprising a table and a pair of similar benches, said table comprising a pair of top members each formed with a hollow compartment, a table leaf between the members, means connecting said members and supporting said table leaf, and separable support legs for said members, each bench comprising a top adapted to be nested in the hollow of each table top member, and separable support legs for the bench tops also adapted to be stored in one of lsaid hollow compartments, means separably connecting the table top members with the table leaf therebetween to form a case in which said table top members comprise the outer portions of the case, and means aligning and interlocking the table leaf and the table top members.

7. In a knockdown set of furniture comprising a table and a pair of benches, said table including a pair of similar table top members, means for separably connecting said table tops to form a hollow carrying case for the knockdown elements of said set of furniture.

8. In a knockdown set of furniture comprising a table and a pair of benches, said table including a pair of similar table top members, means for separably connecting said table tops to form a hollow carrying ca-se for the knockdown elements of said set of furniture, and handle means on one of said elements and projecting through the case formed by the table tops for carrying said case.

9. In a knockdown set of furniture compristable tops with the table leaf therebetween to form a carrying case for the knockdown elements of said set of furniture, andhandle means on said table leaf and projecting through the case thus formed for carrying said case.

LAUREL EUGENE STEINBERGER. f

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 504,071 Van Wascinski Aug. 9, 1893 1,446,096 Kurowski Feb. 20, 1923 1,716,612 Wing June 11, 1928 1,931,414 Norris Oct. 17, 1933 2,282,296 I-Iollentonder May 5, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 662,418 France Oct. 17, 1928 

